Khaberni - Economic expert Dr. Wasil Al-Mashaqbah confirmed that the data on voluntary participation in social security between 18/2 and 18/3 shows a rapid and noticeable decline in the number of participants, reflecting high concern and distrust in the system after the announcement of social security law amendments.
Al-Mashaqbah explained in statements to Hayat FM radio that detailed figures reveal a continuous decline in the number of voluntary participants while the number of cumulative retirees has increased naturally:
18/2: Retirees 396,882 | Voluntary participants 112,779
25/2: Retirees 397,710 | Voluntary participants 110,522
5/3: Retirees 398,338 | Voluntary participants 108,217
15/3: Retirees 399,993 | Voluntary participants 107,031
16/3: Retirees 400,105 | Voluntary participants 105,591
18/3: Retirees 400,458 | Voluntary participants 104,747
He added: “The exit of 8,032 voluntary participants in less than a month against a natural increase of only 3,576 retirees reflects that the majority of those exiting did not retire but left the system entirely. This pattern is unconventional and indicates a direct reaction to legislative changes and diminishing trust in the system.”
He stated that “the sensitivity of this decline is evident when looking at the financial dimension, where the average income of a voluntary participant is about 640 dinars, compared to an overall average of approximately 435 dinars for participants. This means that the departures during this month belong to a higher income bracket, contributing a larger share to the insurance revenues, making their exit doubly significant in terms of both number and financial magnitude simultaneously.”
The consequences of this decline extend to the principle of sustainability, which the recent amendments are supposed to enhance, according to Al-Mashaqbah. The exit of a higher contributing group pressures the financial base of the system at a time when the number of retirees continues to rise at natural rates.
He warned that this trend diminishes the system's ability to balance incoming flows and outgoing obligations, potentially turning a short-term anomaly into a cumulative impact affecting long-term sustainability.
Al-Mashaqbah warned that the rapid decrease in voluntary participation threatens liquidity and actuarial expectations, urging the Social Security Institution to immediately publish detailed data to distinguish between departures due to natural reasons and those caused by concerns.
He pointed out that “understanding these shifts accurately and knowing their real reasons is what enables officials to address them seriously and take measures that restore confidence and maintain the stability of the system.”
